Good News April 2015

MSUFCU Employees Raise Nearly $75,000 for Capital Area United Way
MSU Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce after a six-month fundraising initiative in 2014, credit union employees raised $74,989 for the Capital Area United Way (CAUW). The funding will help people in need receive vital, basic services, increase participation in quality early childhood learning, increase academic success through student engagement and learning and increase the number of low-income families and individuals moving toward financial stability.
In additional to internal fundraising efforts, employees also contributed to CAUW by volunteering for the organizations they support, including: Mid-Michigan Cat Rescue (MMCR), Eaton County Adult Handicap Program and The Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative (MYOI).
The purpose of the CAUW is to provide local employers, employees and other donors a cost-effective system to address community health and human service needs through charitable gifts of time, money and goods.
MSU Federal Credit Union, the world’s largest university-based credit union, offers a full range of personal and business-related financial services to Michigan State University and Oakland University faculty, staff, students, alumni association members and their families worldwide in addition to a variety of select employee groups.
Kristin Beltzer Rejoins Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Kristin Beltzer has rejoined the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce as executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
Beltzer is an accomplished executive with 25 years of experience in Michigan regional government, community affairs, public policy and advocacy. In her new role at the Chamber, she oversees the business development, marketing, communications and event management activities of the organization. Kristin joined the Chamber in 2007, where she was instrumental in developing and expanding the government relations and public affairs program and establishing the Chamber as the leading voice for business in the Greater Lansing region. She worked for the Chamber until 2014.
Before joining the Chamber, Beltzer spent 17 years in the Michigan Legislature, serving in key roles in the House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate.
Beltzer is passionate about education and business, serving on the Haslett School Board since 2003, and currently as board president. Her community involvement includes leadership roles with the Michigan Health and Hospital Association’s Business Advisory Council, Junior Achievement and Ele’s Place. She was the 2005 recipient of the Michigan Bankers Association Financial Literacy award for her work in educating students about financial and economic strategies.
Greater Lansing Area Wins Bid to Host 2015 National Solo Dance Series Finals
The Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA), along with the governing body of U.S. Figure Skating, the Lansing Skating Club and Suburban Ice East Lansing are pleased to announce they have been awarded the 2015 National Solo Dance Series Finals, Sept. 23-26, 2015.
This event, being held outside Colorado Springs, Colorado for the first time ever, will bring 235 ice dancers from across the nation to compete in Greater Lansing during this multi-day competition.
The 2015 National Solo Dance Series Finals will include 235 participants, 100 coaches, 20 officials and hundreds more friends and family for an average four-night stay in the Greater Lansing area. During the stay, visitors will have time to get out and explore the community and its many restaurants, shops and attractions. It is estimated the event will fill nearly 1,000 hotel rooms during the stay and have a major impact on the regional economy.
Several Greater Lansing sports entities worked together to help secure this national event, including the Lansing Skating Club, Suburban Ice East Lansing and the Greater Lansing Sports Authority.
Visit lansingsports.org for additional event information. If you have specific questions about the event or the GLSA, contact Mike Price at (517) 377-1406.
LCC Awards 500 Sixth-graders with Two Free Years of College
On March 11, a group of 500 Lansing School District sixth-graders were welcomed as the 14th class of H.O.P.E. Scholarship recipients. Each student will receive FREE tuition at Lansing Community College with the promise that they graduate
high school.
The H.O.P.E. Scholarship Program is a crime prevention and education initiative in cooperation with the Lansing Police Department, Lansing Community College, Michigan State University, the Lansing School District, the City of Lansing, local businesses and private citizens. The students are selected by their school based on the ability to utilize the program.
The program was developed in response to the idea that if more students are given a clear pathway to higher education, it will produce safer schools, contribute to higher graduation rates, reduce crime and prepare students for the good-paying jobs of the 21st Century. Recent experience has shown that more than 90 percent of the students entering the H.O.P.E. Scholarship program will graduate from high school, and on time.